The Billionaire's Island Bride (South Shore Billionaires 3)

“Yes.” He led her up the stairs. “I brought in someone from New York. I think he did a good job, don’t you?”

“It fits. It fits this island, and you, too. I loved it when Ernest lived here, but this is even better, I think.”

“I’m glad you approve.”

She looked up at him. “Oh, get real. You don’t really care if you have my approval or not.”

He tilted his head and met her gaze. “You know, that should be true. But lately I find myself caring about what you think very much.”

“Cole...”

“I know. I’m just saying. Somehow I don’t want to disappoint you.”

After a tour of the guest rooms, he took her down and showed her the gym. By that time, Raelynn was calling them to the dining room, and she let out a sigh at the beautiful table setting.

There were three bowls with fresh flowers on the table, lending their sweet scent but low enough that the blooms didn’t impede anyone’s view of each other. Rose had started to fall asleep and was now sitting in a carrier nearby, covered with a blanket and staring dazedly at a bar holding very colorful and interesting shapes.

The table had had the extension leaves taken out of it so that it sat six. Cole was at the head and Jeremy at the foot, with Jessica and Branson on one side, and then Tori on an angle to Jeremy and Brooklyn on an angle to Cole. They were definitely paired up, but Brooklyn couldn’t bring herself to mind. They all seemed to get along so well that it didn’t matter anyway.

The first course was a ginger-carrot soup, perfectly seasoned with ginger and a hint of cumin and cayenne. Brooklyn decided to ask Raelynn for the recipe, and then the cook returned with asparagus wrapped in Parma ham. It nearly looked too pretty to eat with the vibrant green and crisp pink of the ham, and went perfectly with the dry Riesling Raelynn had poured during the soup course. The starters had been simple but delicious, and Brooklyn savored each bite as conversation flowed easily around the table.

Brooklyn was already wondering how she was going to make it to the main course when a small plate was placed before her, containing a kale and apple salad with pumpkin seeds and pomegranate arils.

She looked up at Cole and said, “Where did you ever find Raelynn? She’s a fantastic chef.”

He grinned. “I’ll tell her you said so. She was working for a caterer and ran a party for my mother maybe six years ago. Incidentally, she also met Dan that night. She stayed with the caterer even after she and Dan married, and when I bought this place, I offered them the caretaker jobs.”

Jessica put down her fork. “They don’t mind being so isolated?” She looked at Brooklyn and smiled. “Not that it isn’t lovely, but when someone is so used to the city, this can be a bit of a shock.”

“None taken,” Brooklyn replied. “It is isolated. Even for me, and I’ve pretty much been here my whole life.” She thought about Raelynn and Dan living above the garage. She was sure Cole had it decorated nicely for them, but she understood now why he’d thought buying her out would provide them with a home of their own.

“They won’t stay all year round,” Cole said. “Only when it’s required. And maybe through the summer.” He leaned back in his chair, toying with his wineglass. “I’d like to be here in the summer months more. Enjoy the beach, maybe do some deep-sea fishing.”

Jeremy laughed. “Look at you, slowing down.”

Cole lifted an eyebrow. “And you, settling down. Whatever, bro.”

Everyone laughed a little, and then Branson said, “That’s not in the cards for you, Cole?”

Unease settled in Brooklyn’s stomach. She was here as Cole’s date, after all. She tried to keep a relaxed posture, even though the question seemed rather pointed, and did and didn’t involve her at the same time. But Cole just shrugged easily. “Dude, you know me. I have too much going on, even if I have slowed down a bit. You and Jeremy can carry that flag. The single life works for me.”

Jeremy gazed into Tori’s eyes. “I’m definitely okay with that.”

“Me, too,” Bran said, leaning over and kissing Jessica’s temple.

It was so obvious to Brooklyn that the other two couples were deeply in love. What in the world was she doing here? It had become horribly awkward. She suddenly felt like nothing more than a seat filler.

Thankfully, Raelynn returned with their main course, a maple-glazed salmon with tiny smashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. Brooklyn couldn’t remember ever sitting down to such a feast. It was so different from her actual life, but everyone else was acting as if this happened every day. Did they always live like this?

There was a new wine for the salmon dish, a pinot noir that was delicate and lighter than she normally liked her reds, but matched the salmon beautifully. Dear heaven, actual wine pairings in addition to all this food. And this was a “casual” dinner! She couldn’t imagine what fancy would entail.

It was Jessica who totally switched gears and eased the knot in Brooklyn’s stomach. “Brooklyn, I love your sweater. Is that cashmere?”

She nodded and smiled. “Thank you, and yes, it is.”

“Did you make it yourself? Tori tells us you run your own knitting business.”

Brooklyn glanced at Tori, who was smiling at her. Sure they’d met, but she was surprised that she’d been a topic of conversation. “What?” Tori asked. “People in town know who you are. Anytime you put something in the store in Liverpool, it goes like hotcakes. My mom actually downloaded one of your patterns for a baby blanket last winter.”